Bill Start

[
Approved by
Governor
May 12, 2011.
Filed with
Secretary of State
May 12, 2011.
]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACR 22, Hueso.
California School Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.

This measure would declare March 2011 to be California School Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and urge that the issue of bullying, and methods of preventing it, be discussed with appropriate activities in California schools during this time.

Digest Key

Fiscal Committee:
NO

Bill Text

WHEREAS, School bullying has become an increasingly significant problem in the United States and California; and

WHEREAS, Almost 35 percent of youth in the United States are estimated to be involved in bullying each year, either as a bully or a victim; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 8 percent of pupils in kindergarten through grade 12 miss at least one day of school every month due to a fear of being bullied; and

WHEREAS, Bullying can take many forms, including verbal, physical, and psychological forms, and can happen in many places on and off school grounds; and

WHEREAS, Bullying through electronic means is a serious and growing concern; and

WHEREAS, Bullying is a public health problem that leads to depression and low self-esteem well into adulthood, and the bullies themselves engage in criminal behavior later in life at higher rates; and

WHEREAS, Bullying begins in the elementary grades, peaks in grades 6 through 8, and persists into high school; and

WHEREAS, It is important for California pupils, parents, school staff, and school administrators to be aware of bullying, to encourage discussion of the problem as a school community, and to engage in prevention and education; and

WHEREAS, The State Department of Education adopted in 2001 a policy on bullying prevention designed to encourage positive behaviors and to eliminate bullying behaviors in California schools; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares March 2011 to be California School Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and urges that the issue of bullying, and methods of preventing it, be discussed with appropriate activities in California schools during this time; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.